Zein solution and coating composition



Patented Dec.193 9 UNITEDVSTATES ZIIN SOLUTION GOMPO AND GOATING srrron Roy E. Coleman. Chicago, 111., assignor to The Zein Corporation of Delaware f No Drawing. Original plicatlon October 11,

America, a corporation of application September 31, 1939, Serial No. 295,919.-

Divided and this ap- 1939, Serial No. 298,985

1 Claims. (01. 134-12) This invention relates to improvements in substantiallyanhydrous solutions and coating compositions oi zein and to methods of preparing the same. While the present invention is applicable to the production of solutions and coating compositions'oi other prola'mins, it is particularly directed to securing substantially anhydrous solutions and coating compositions o1 zein with controlled solution and gelling characteristics, zein being differentiated -irom other prolamins by its unusual gelling tendencies.

This application is a division oi my prior cogemliggg application Serial No. 295,919, filed Sept.

The solutions and coating compositions of m'y present invention are characterized by the fact that theycontain either no added water or only very slight amounts of water not in excess of about 5% and are, therefore, substantially anhydrous. I

The zein used in accordance with my invention may be the commercial zein which contains a small percentage of moisture infthe order of about 5 to about 8%, preferably about 8%, and is obtained in the trade in powdered form, or it may be a specially treated substantially anhydrous zein. In the following description 01'. my invention I refer by the term zein to commercial zein or to zein oi substantiallythe water content of commercial zein unless otherwise specifically designated.

In the prior art zein coating compositions, water has been included to a substantialextent, it being considered that the solubility characteristics of zein required the inclusion of substantial proportions of water in organic solvents. For example, as stated in the Walsh et aL Patent No. 1,966,604, the addition of water is necessary since the low-molecular weight alcohols, alcoholethers and 'alcohol derivatives arenot effective alone in making solutions of zein.

In accordance with the present invention I have found that non-separating, stable liquid coating compositions of controlled gelling characteristics, either slow gellingor substantially non-gelling, can beprepared from zein by-the aid of anhydrous or substantially anhydrous solvents or mixtures of such solvents. These coating compositions, over wide range of concentrations, are stable on standing at temperatures of 80 F. and below and do not separate even when cooledto temperatures of to F. and somewhat below. When cooled even to.v temperatures as low as 10 above zero or to zero, solutions or coatings prepared in accordance with the present invention" may separate and become solid; however, on heating again to temperatures of from about 45 to 70 F., a resolution is effected, either without stirring or ings return to their normal form at the reheating temperatures.

The stable non-separating solutions and coating compositions prepared. in accordance with the present invention may. be controlled as to their gelling characteristics, as hereinafter set forth, and may be slow-gelling or substantially non-gelling with slight tendency to increase in viscosity; that is, to thicken or become heavier in body; and in many instances they exhibit practically no tendency to'thicken .or to gel over practical periods of time in the order of about 3 to about 6 months. By virtue of these novel stable characteristics, the solutions and coatings of my invention are not limited to use immediately or within short periods of time after preparation as is generally the case with the prior art solutions and coating compositions.

The solutions and coatingcompositions of the ence of a certain proportion of carbon-bonded hydroxyl radicals being required to secure solvent action. The presence of a'hydroxyl group in a primary alcohol radical, (3I-.l:l(3H, appears to be particularly helpful in securing such action; The presence of an excessive proportion 0! by droxyl radicals or of polar radicals includini,

some hydroxyl radicalscauses oraccelerates gelling tendencies in the zein solution or coating.-

Polar radicals such as -O-'- (ether oxygen),

to aid or cooperate with OH in securing the necessary conditions oftpolarity in the solvent. (in which term I include solvent mixtures'in the present case) for solvent'action, and in excess produce the conditions enhancing gelling. While 'in solutions absence of gellin or slow gelling 5s or thickening is desirable, in the preparation of plastics rapid gelling may be desirable. In the present case I am more particularly concerned with solutions having slow gelling or substantially non-gelling characteristics for use in coating compositions; i. e. solutions which do not gel or which gel or thicken so slowly as to permit normalcommercial handling without material or serious thickening or gelling.

The proportion of hydrocarbon or non-polar radicals in the solvent or solvent mixture should not be excessive, since too high a proportion of hydrocarbon apparently causes insolubility and separation of the zein. The same is the case in the presence of excessively long or large hydrocarbon radicals; e. g. C4 and higher alkyl radicals. Cyclic hydrocarbon radicals, however, behave as lower alkyl radicals. Thus, as will appear hereinafter, the benzyl radical acts as if it were intermediate between the methyl and ethyl radicals. This is consistent with the polar characteristics of aryl-alkyl radicals as compared with alkyl-alkyl radicals.

The desired balance of polar constituent radicals and hydrocarbon or non-polar radicals in the solvent may be secured by the use of a suitable individual compound which inherently has the necessary balance, or by an admixture of compounds which are individually. not balanced to secure proper relations in the mixture and which individually may not be solvents for zein.

The behavior of such mixtures may be explained by assuming solvation of the zein molecules or micelles by the hydroxylated constituents of the mixture, with orientation of the hydrocarbon radicals of the hydroxylated compound to the exterior of'the solvate complex, which may then disperse or dissolve in the remaining constituents of the solvent.

The proportion of polar radicals to hydrocarbon or non-polar radicals which I have found to be desirable lies within a range which extends between the limits ofabsolute methanol on the one hand, having 53% hydroxyl and 47% hydrocarbon, and absolute ethanol on the other hand v n 37% .hydroxyl and 63% hydrocarbon.

. This range is approximate and may vary somewhat depending on the solvent or solvent mixture used. The limits of this range are, however, indicative of gellin characteristics on the one hand and of insolubility on the other and, therefore, provides a close and adequate guide to enable the operator, by simple experimentation,

to determine the required balance of polar and hydrocarbon radicals to effect solution of zein in any solvent or mixture of solvents of a character herein set forth. Thus absolute methanol has decided solvent action,'but has excessive gelling tendencies, as has also ethylene glycol, which has an even higher proportion of OH than has methanol. Glycerol, also higher in -OH than methanol, shows no appreciable solvent action on of non-gelling, coatings, as set forth in my prior applications Setermine readily that particular balanced solvent or balanced mixture of solvents which will produce the solution or coating composition having the desired properties and characteristics for the special purpose.

Various'relatively high molecular weight alcohols, having'a ratio of polar to non-polar radicals between methanol and ethanol are excellent individual solvents for zein with the production non-separating solutions and rial No. 187,559, Serial No. 187,560, and Serial No. 188,182, which were filed as continuations-im part of application Serial No. 158,215. The solvents of these applications include diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diacetone alcohol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol and furfuryl alcohol, as well as tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and the like. These solvents individually, or mixtures thereof, are capable of dissolving zein to produce solutions or coating compositions which are stable against separation and are con trolled to be slow gelling or substantially nongelling over practical periods of time; in many cases over from about 3 to about 6 months. In the case of diacetone alcohol and cyclohexanol, for example, very small proportions of water, say 1 to 3%, or of methanol or glycol may be incorporated therewith to from zein solutions of reduced viscosities.

Considering the cyclic and aryl-alkyl radicals of the compounds benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, furfuryl and tetrahydrcfurfuryl alcohol, for example, as intermediate between the CH3 and the CI-IaCHz radicals,-it will be noted that in all of these solvents the proportion of polar radicals (OH .or -OH and -O-) may be regarded as if it were intermediate between the ratios for methanol and ethanol. I have found that any of the above balanced solvents or mixtures of them may be used in or added to other solvents or solvent mixtures, otherwise balanced or approximately balanced, such additions being frequently desirable. Thus, benzyl alcohol aids in securing a bright clear zein film; In general, also, these solvents may be used with various proportions of ethanol, glycol or the like, providing the ratio of hydroxyl and other polar groups to hydrocarbon radicals is maintained within the proper balance, as set forth in the following examples.

In the following examples, when I refer to anhydrous denatured alcohol I have reference to the commercial anhydrous denatured alcohol of the following formula:

Per cent Anhydrous ethyl alcohol approximately 89.3 Anhydrous methyl alcohol do 4.4 Ethyl acetate -1 do' 6.3

In these examples and in all other examples here- I in, the term "parts indicates parts by Weight.

" Example 1 10 parts of zein are mixed with 40 parts of a solvent mixture containing 84% of 95% alcohol and-16% of diethylene-glycol. The mixture is stirred and on the application of heat in the order of about 85 to F. for about 5 minutes,

a clearnon-separatin substantially non-gelling stable solutionof the zein is formed.

Example 2 10 parts of zein are mixed with 20 parts of a solvent mixture containing 50% of benzyl alcohol and 50% of 95% alcohol. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about 108 75 to 112' r. a non-s parating, substantially nongelling stable solution of the .zein in the solvent.

, mixture is obtained in about to 8 minutes.

Example 3 10 parts of zein are mixed with parts oi a solvent mixture containing 50% of benzyl alcohol and 50% of anhydrous denatured alcohol. On stirringand with the application of heat in the order of about 90 to 110 F., a non-separating, substantially non-gelling stable solution 01' the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained in about 5 to 8 minutes.

. Example 4 10 parts oi zein are mixed with 35 parts of a solvent mixturecontaining 22.2% oi. diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and 77.8% of cyclohexanol. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order'oi about 165 to 170 F., a

stable, slow-gelling solution is obtained in about 8 to 12 minutes.

Example 5 10 parts 01' zein are mixed with 25 parts of (ii-- ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and 15 parts of propylene glycol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application .01 heat in the order of about 120 to 140 F., a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 5 to 10 minutes.

Example 6 10 parts oi. zein are mixed with 20 parts of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and 20 parts of benzyl alcohol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about to F., a. stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 10 to 12 minutes.

Example 7 10 parts of zein are mixed with 20 parts of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and 30 parts of diacetone alcohol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application or heat in the order 01 about 135 to 145 F., astable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 5 to 10 minutes.

Example 8 10 parts of zein are mixed with 20 parts 01' diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 12 parts or triethylene glycol and 8 partsbenzyl alcohol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order oi. about 120 .to'

180 F., a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 8 to 12 minutes.

Example 9 10 parts of zein are mixed with 40 partso! a solvent mixture containing 90% of diethylene gly-' col and 10% ofanhydrous denatured alcohol. In

practice the zein is heated'with the diethylene glycol to a temperature in the order 01 about- 190 to 195 .1". to form a solution The solution is permitted to cool to about to F., at which temperature the anhydrous denatured alcohol is added. The resulting solution is nonseparating and substantially non-gelling.

Example 10 10 parts of zein are mixed with 80 parts of a solvent mixture containing 50% of diacetone alcohol and 50% of 95% alcohol. In practice, the

zein is mixed. with the diacetone alcohol and heated to about 190 to 200 F. for about 8 to 12 minutes to eii'ect solution. The solution is then cooled to about 180 to 1'. and the 95% alco- 160 F., a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained 10' parts of zein are mixed with 20 parts of ethylene glycol and 20 parts of diethylene glycol.

On stirring and with the application of heat in the order. of about 185 to 195 F., a clear, nonseparating, substantially non-gelling stable solution or the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained 30 in about 8 to 12 minutes.

Example 13 10 parts 01 zein are mixed with 30 parts of benzyl alcohol and 20 parts of ethylene glycol in '5 a suitable vessel;

On stirring and with the application of heat in the order oi! about 130 to F., a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 5 to 10 minutes. 1

Example 14 10 parts oi. zein are mixed with 70 parts ofpropylene glycol and 30 parts of glycerine in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the-appiication of heat in the order of about 140 to in about 8 to 12 minutes.

Example 15 10 parts of zein are mixed with 48 parts of diacetone alcohol and 12 parts of ethylene glycol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application or heat in the order of about to F., a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 5 to 10minutes.

. Example 16 10 parts of zein are mixed with 32 parts of triethylene glycol and 8 parts of glycerine in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the applica-' tion 01' heat in the order of about 120 to 130 lit, a stable, slow gelling solution is obtained in about 10 to 12 minutes.

Solvent mixtures of non-gelling or controlled gelling characteristics may be produced by mixing miscible compounds-having a deficiency of hydroxyl or polar radicals with compounds having a balance or an excess thereof to secure the desired balance of polar and hydrocarbon radicals in the resulting mixtures. An extreme example of the production of such solvents is the admixture of toluene (a non-solvent for zein) and methanol. Mixtures of methanol and toluol I containing 5 to 45% of toluoi are excellent solvents for zein, and'have retarded and in some cases; relatively slow gelling tendencies. preterfed range is 35 to 45% toluoi. The following examples are illustrative of such mixtures. By the expression "retarded gelling tendencies" The as used in these examples and elsewhere through 1 out the specification, I mean solutions of zein in solvent mixtures which have retarded gelling tendencies with respect to the gelling time oi solutions of zein in the constituent of the mixture ,o! solvents having a tendency to form a gelling zein solution. I

Example 17 v 10 parts of zein are mixed with 40 parts of a mixture consisting of about 55% of methanol and about 45% of toluol. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about 100 to 105 F., a non-separating, stable solutionof the zein in the solvent mixture having greatly retarded gelling tendencies is obtained.

Example 18 10 parts of zein are mixed with 24 parts of anhydrous isopropyl alcohol and 6 parts of C. P.

glycerine in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about 115 to 125 F., a non-separating, slow-gelling, stable solution of the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained.

Example 19 10 parts of zein are mixed with 18 parts of methanol and 22 parts of benzol in'a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about 90 to 110 F., a non- 'separating, stable solution of the zein. in the solvent mixture having retarded gelling tendencies is obtained.

Example 21 10 parts of zein are mixed with 125 P rts of a solvent mixture containing 40% of cyclohexanol, 40% of 95% alcohol, 10% of toluol, and 10% of linseed fatty acids. In practice, the zein is heated in the cyclohexanol to about 190 to 200 F., to effect solution. The solution is then cooled to about 130 F., and the other ingredients are added. The solution formed is stable and non-gelling.

Anhydrous or substantially anhydrous solvents may be prepared from the aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms by adding thereto hydroxylated or polar compounds having higher ratios of --OH or polar groups (including CO, NH2, -O or --OI-I) than ethanol to secure the desired balanced relations between polar and non-polar groups. The simplest monoand polyhydric alcohols are particularly useful in this connection, these being methanol, glycol and glycerol. The following examples are illustrative of zein solutions prepared with such solvent mix-.

tures in accordance with my invention.

Examplegz 10 parts of zein are mixed with 40 parts of a Example 23 10 parts of ,zein are mixed with 40 parts of a solvent mixture containing 89% of 95% alcohol and 11%. of dichlorethyl ether. 0n stirringand with the application of heat in the order of about denatured alcohol.

'75 to 85 F., a non-separating, substantially slowgelling, stable solution of the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained.

' Example 24 10 parts ofzein are mixed with 44 parts of 95% alcohol and 6 parts of dioxan in a suitable vessel. The mixture is stirred and on' the application of heat in the order to to 85 F., a stable, non-separating slow-gelling solution of zein is produced.

Example 25 10 parts of zein are mixed'with-30 partsof a solvent mixture containing 50% of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and 50% of anhydrous 0n stirring and with the application of heat in the order of to" F., a stable, non-separating slow-gelling solution is obtained.

- Example 26 1o parts of zein are mixed with 40 parts of. a solvent mixture containng 84% anhydrous denatured alcohol and 16% of ethylene glycol. The mixture is stirred and on the application of heat in the order of about to F., a clear, nonseparating, slow-gelling, stable solution of zein gelling, stable solution of the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained.

Example 28 10 parts of zein are. mixed with 25 parts of 95% isopropyl alcohol and 5 parts of ethylene glycol in a suitable vessel. On stirring and with the application of heat in the order of about to F., a non-separating, slow-gelling, stable solution of the zein in the solvent mixture is obtained.

It is apparent that ethylene dichloride, tetrachlorethylene and the like may be used in lieu of dichlorethyl ether in the above examples.

' It is also apparent, in accordance with the present invention, that the proportions of these materials used in admixture with the low-molecular weight alcohols must be controlled so that the desired balanced relations between polar and non-polar groups are secured.

The solvents and solvent mixtures for zein set forth above, as Well as other solvents or solvent mixtures which will be-apparent from the foregoing, and the resulting solutions prepared in accordance with the present invention are substantially anhydrous, containing not more than 5% of added water'and, preferably, substantially less. The proportions of water permissible are thus limited in order to secure the desired solution characteristics and control of gelling, 6

since it has been found that the presence of water in excess of the proportions above indicated disturbs the balance of the solvent, tending to prov duce or to accelerate gelling, as well as to impair the character of the zein film deposited from the solution. Possible explanations of the behavior of water may be made on the basis that it acts as a highly polar constituent whenpresent in solution in excess, that it tends to cause solvation or hydration of the zein, and its tendency to cause gelling may also be related to its high surface tension. The'permissible proportion may vary in various solvents or solvent mixtures, the

maximum permissible being represented by the permissible proportions of 5% in the case of ethyl alcohol or the ethyl alcohol constituent of the solvent. Since ethyl alcohol with 5% water is a solvent producing stable solution in only limited cases, as set forth in my application solvent or solvent mixture and, in general, the

more closely the solvent or solvent mixture approaches the desired balance of polar groups "and hydrocarbon constituents, the less the permissible proportionof water to avoid the introduction of excessive gelling or insolubility. In some cases small proportions of water below the -limits 'above set forth may be advantageous.

The maximum permissible proportion may be readily determined experimentally in each instance and in many cases may be as low as 2 or 3%.

By the term substantially anhydrous", in connection with solvents or solvent mixtures, as used herein, I mean having insufficient water in the solvent or solvent mixture to disturb the balance thereof and introduce excessive gelling or insolubility, and having in no case more than 5% water. 5

By the use of anhydrous or substantially anhydrous solvents or solvent mixtures in accordance with my invention, I am thus enabled to prepare substantially non-aqueous zein solutions and coating compositions which contain no added water, or only slight amounts thereof,

not in excess of 5% and, preferably, less. By virtue of this low added water content, the field of applicability of the coating compositions and solutions in accordance with my invention is materially widened beyond that of the aqueous coating compositions of the prior zein art. In addition, the films deposited from'my coating compositions and solutions havenone of the serious drawbacks as to brittleness, lack of luster and gloss and blooming and blushing tendencies of the films deposited from the aqueous solutions or coating compositions of the prior art.

Certain anhydrous or substantially anhydrous compounds or mixtures of compounds in accordance with my invention, characterized in having a balance of polar and hydrocarbon radicals approaching that of ethanol and bordering the desired range, have been found to be excellent solvents for zein. Solutions or coating compositions formed by the aid of these solvents are stable against separation of the zein and produce H solutions in which the g'ellingtendencies can be more readily controlled than in the case of solutions or coating compositions formed by the aid of these solvents and substantial amounts of 'wa-.-

vter as in the prior art. Of the solvents, mention may be made of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and like alcohol-ether solvents or mixtures thereof. I

The quantity of anhydrous or substantially anhydrous solvents or mixtures of solvents necessary to prepare thedesired solutions or coating ether,

compositions in accordance with my invention may vary rather widely from about 2 to 20 or more and, preferably from about 2 to about 9 or more parts by weight of the solvent to 1 part by weight of the zein. In most instances, 3 to 5 parts by weight of the solvent to one part by weight of the zein has been found sumcient to dissolve the zein and form the desired stable solutions or coating compositions. The viscosity and gelling tendencies of the solutions or coating compositions prepared in accordance with my in- 'vention are at least in part dependent on the proportion of solvent used.

The coating compositions embodyingmy invention have the unusual properties, particularly when heated, of being able to give up their solvent or solvents readily when'applied to any surface to quickly and readily form tough, flexible, non-tacky, hard and generally transparent films even when retaining some solvent. The

.films deposited from coating compositions in accordance with my invention are very strong and have unusual adherent properties. In these coating compositions the film forming properties thereof can be built up to produce a film of greater toughness, flexibility, hardness and gloss than is capable of being formed from coating compositions containing added water in an amount greater than 5% as inthe prior art. Under normal temperature conditions, the solutions or coating compositions in accordance with my invention will produce non-blushing coatings on drying, without the aid of supplementary antiblushing agents as in the prior art.

The coating compositions in accordance with my invention may be applied to any surface and they may be used for coating, sizing, or impregnating any material, such as paper, textiles, wood, wood pulp and the like. When coated on paper, Cellophane, glass and the like, a film is formed almost immediately which possesses the film characteristics set forth above. Since these coating compositions have decided adhesive properties, they may be used either per se or in combination with other materials for uniting or laminating paper, cloth, wood, glass, felt, Cellophane, metals and metal foils and the like.

The characteristics of the coating compositions; in accordance with my invention, and hence of the ultimate films formed therefrom,

can be altered at will and as desired by the inclusion of diluents, modifiers, plasticizers, resins,

cellulose derivatives, fillers and the like all as I setforth in my application Serial No. 295,919.

I claim:

l. A substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising a solution of zein in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents comprising an organic compound having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar'radicals of methanol andthe proportion of polar to non- I polar radicals of ethanol and a glycol ether, said solvents and said composition containing not in excess of 5% of added water, and said composi-' tion being stable against separation of the zein at temperatures of 70 F. and. being relatively non-gelling.

2. A'substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising a solution of zein in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents havinga Proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the 'limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of. ethanol, said mixture of solvents comprising an organic compound having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the, proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to nonpolar radicals of ethanol, and a glycol ether, said solvents and said composition containing not in excess of 5% of added water, and said composition being stable against separation of the zein at temperatures of F. and being relatively non-gelling.

3. A substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising a solution of zein in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of ethanoLsaid mixture of solvents comprising a glycol having a molecular weight higher than ethylene glycol and a glycol ether, said solvents and said composition containing not in excessof 5% of added water, and said composition being stable against separation of the zein at temperatures of. 70 F. and being relatively non-gelling.

4. A substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising a solution of zein in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of ethanol, said mixture of solvents comprising propylene glycol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, said solvents and said composition containing not in excess of 5% of'added water, and said composition being stable against separation of the zein at temperatures of 70 F. and being relatively non-gelling.

5. A substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising 'a solution of zein in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar I ing a proportion of polar to non-polar radicalswhich lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of ethanol, said mixture of solvents comprising diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and diacetone alcohol, said solvents and said compositions containing not in excess of 5% of added water, and said composition heing stable against separation of the zein at temperatures of a 70 F. and being relatively non-gelling.

7. A substantially non-aqueous liquid coating composition comprising a solution of a prolamin in a substantially anhydrous mixture of solvents having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of ethanol, said mixture of solvents comprising an organic compound having a proportion of polar to non-polar radicals which lies within a range extending between the limits of the proportion of polar to non-polar radicals of methanol and the proportion of polar.

to non-polar radicals of ethanol, and a glycol ether, said solvents and said composition containing not in excess of 5% of added water, and-said composition being stable against separation of the prolamin at temperatures of'70" F. and being relatively non-gelling. 1

' ROY E. COLEMAN.- 

